Seb back in head

Sebastien Loeb has taken the overall lead from Petter Solberg, putting in a blistering Stage 8 to finish 10.2 seconds ahead of second fastest Solberg; 20.5 seconds aheah of Gronholm in third. Loeb leads overall from Solberg by 0.7 seconds and Stohl comes in third a further 2:07.5 behind.

Ford lost two cars, namely previously second placed Mikko Hirvonen (BP-Ford WRT) and youngster Matthew Wilson (Stobart VK M-Sport Ford RT). While the neither car was badly damaged the drivers were not able to get the cars back onto the track.

RESULTS AND COMMENTS

Petter Solberg has clocked in 4.2 seconds faster than Sebastien Loeb to snatch back the lead in the 23.75 kilometre special. The Norwegian now leads the Frenchman by 3.5 seconds and the stage is set for a fierce battle.

Victims to Leg 1of the Rally of Mexico, Marcus Gronholm and Chris Atkinson managed third (+14.4) and fifth (+27.0) fastest respectively with Austrian Manfred Stohl splitting them in fourth (+17.0).

RESULTS AND COMMENTS

Sebastien Loeb has taken Stage 10 ahead of Petter Solberg by 1.5 seconds. The reigning champion is now only two seconds behind rally leader Solberg with third placed Manfred Stohl coming in 2:44.8 later.

Dani Sordo chipped away at Stohl's third position, now sitting 26.8 seconds behind in fourth. Australia's Chris Atkinson drove his Subaru to fourth fastest and finds himself in eleventh position overall.

RESULTS AND COMMENTS

Sebastien Loeb has taken the first place ahead of Petter Solberg, shaving yet another 0.3 seconds off the Norwegian's lead. The Frenchman Loeb is menacing the tail-end of Solberg's Subaru, just 1.7 seconds behind.

Marcus Gronholm came in third, 12.6 seconds off the pace followed by Dani Sordo (+22.4), Chris Atkinson (+23.1) and Manfred Stohl (+23.2). Ford pair Matthew Wilson and Mikko Hirvonen came through far outside the points after their little gardening expedition earlier in the day.

RESULTS AND COMMENTS

Sebastien Loeb has blitzed the field, clocking in faster than second fastest Petter Solberg by 6.5 seconds. Third came Solberg's Subaru team-mate, Chris Anderson 17 seconds further behind; Marcus Gronholm, Dani Sordo and Manfred Stohl make up the six.

After Stage 12 of the Rally of Mexico Sebastien Loeb is back in the lead, snatching a 4.8 second lead over Petter Solberg. Following a ways back is Stohl and Sordo; Mac Hale and Arai make up the six.